March 18, 2014 The regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners of PUD No. One of Wahkiakum County, Washington was held on the above date with President Dennis Reid presiding. Also in attendance were Board Vice President Eugene Healy, Manager David Tramblie, Auditor Erin Wilson, Attorney Tim Hanigan, Secretary Jennifer Falconer, and Wahkiakum County Eagle News Reporter Diana Zimmerman. Commissioner Healy moved to excuse Commissioner Jungers from the board meeting, and Commissioner Reid seconded. The motion passed 2-0. Commissioner Reid stated that the executive session can be eliminated from the agenda since Commissioner Jungers asked that it be added. Commissioner Healy moved to approve the agenda as amended. Commissioner Reid seconded the motion. The motion passed 2-0. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: On a motion from Commissioner Healy and a second from Commissioner Reid the minutes of March 4, 2014 were approved as submitted. The motion passed 2-0. APPROVAL OF FINANCES With regard to the following electric and water vouchers submitted by Auditor Erin Wilson, Commissioner Healy made a motion to approve the vouchers for electric and water as submitted. Commissioner Reid seconded the motion. The motion passed 2-0. Electric $ 260,657.70 PIWS $ 10,634.12 WWWS $ 2,000.60 PUBLIC COMMENT: None. OPEN DISCUSSION PERIOD: Commissioner Reid stated that he would like to wait until Commissioner Jungers is present in order to review the water plan handed out by Manager Tramblie. Commissioner Reid found it fascinating that the average customer s water bill is $65.00. He would like to check with other utilities at the WPUDA meeting and see how that measures up to other water departments. Discussion ensued. REPORTS: Manager Tramblie: PUD Meeting Minutes 1
Manager Tramblie reported that he had the new voltage monitoring device set up at the Western Wahkiakum well site March 6th through 11th, and the data indicates that the voltage was well within the required parameters. This tells Manager Tramblie that there is no real need to put the regulator back on line in Grays River. The regulator is a very old piece of equipment and the amount of money to repair it is not worth it if the voltage continues to remain within the required parameters. Discussion ensued. Manager Tramblie reported that he did some research on the HDPE, however he will wait to give his report until Commissioner Jungers can be here. Manager Tramblie reported that production on the west end and consumption on Puget Island is looking good in regards to leaks. Manager Tramblie reported that at this point in time, he believes that the situation on the Elochoman with the B-phase tripping out on the reclosure has been resolved. He has not had any issues with the reclosures in three weeks. The crew has replaced a number of insulators and the lightening arrestor. Discussion ensued. Manager Tramblie reported that a vendor came in last week and presented to him a infrared camera that is used to look for hot spots on connectors on distribution lines and at the substation. The cost of the camera is $10,000.00. In the past, Manager Tramblie has had to hire a contractor, which costs about $1,000.00 each time. If the PUD possessed the infrared camera, they would have this piece of equipment at their disposal anytime it was needed. Commissioner Reid stated that if conservation funds are used for the purchase, he wants to be assured that it will be used for conservation. Discussion ensued. Commissioner Healy made a motion to authorize Manager Tramblie to purchase the infrared camera, and Commissioner Reid seconded. Discussion ensued. The motion passed 2-0. Auditor Wilson: Auditor Wilson reported that she made some changes to the cash flow statement and would like to run through those with the commissioners. Auditor Wilson stated that the first three columns are the year to date items being the 2013 YTD, 2014 YTD, and the YTD budget prediction. The YTD budget figure is now based on last year s actual dollars and applied to this year s percentage. This is instead of the calculation of 1/12 th the annual budget. Commissioner Reid stated that this is what he asked to see on the cash flow statement and is happy with it. Auditor Wilson will continue with the new format. Discussion ensued. Auditor Wilson reported that the current REAP balance is $51.00. Commissioner Healy: PUD Meeting Minutes 2
Commissioner Healy reported that he attended the PPC meeting. Anita Decker will head up the Northwest Power and Conservation Council. Water levels are near 90% of normal and Bonneville is please with that. Discussion ensued. Commissioner Healy reported that there is an interest in building some sort of selfmanaged energy efficiency program. A portion of each of the utilities bill is put into a pot for energy efficiency efforts and then sent back out. The utilities are thinking that they would like to get out of that. Discussion ensued. Commissioner Healy reported that the Northwest Power and Conservation Council is advocating a provision to allow spill rates to go up to 125% allowed by the Clean Water Act. Those pushing for this are primarily the tribes and the Department of Fish and Wildlife, who want more water in the river to encourage salmon runs. Discussion ensued. Commissioner Healy reported that Randy Roach gave a really informative talk on BPA issues. He is scheduled to retire at the end of year. Discussion ensued. Commissioner Healy reported that he attended the City Council meeting last night and there were no discussions on PUD sensitive issues. Commissioner Reid: Commissioner Reid reported that he will be attending the WPUDA meeting tomorrow morning. He believes that there could be a reduction in dues this year because reserves are up and the building has been paid off. Discussion ensued. Commissioner Reid reported that he was nominated for one of the officer positions for WPUDA. At first, he turned down the offer stating that the travel costs would not fit into our PUD s budget. WPUDA passed a deal where they would assist in part of the costs, therefore Commissioner Reid agreed to be nominated. Discussion ensued. Commissioner Reid reported that Ann Condin called him last night to discuss the crack in Wanapum Dam. Water levels had to also be dropped at the next dam upriver because of the effects to pressure. This is affecting fish passage and the generation of electricity. Discussion ensued. ACTION ITEM: Selection of Membership Appointments Commissioner Reid moved to approve himself as the representative for WPUDA and Commissioner Healy as the alternate representative. Commissioner Healy seconded the motion. Discussion ensued. The motion passed 2-0. PUD Meeting Minutes 3
MEETINGS & TRAVEL: Commissioner Healy made a motion to approve travel and expenses for Auditor Wilson to attend the WPUDA HR Resource Meeting in Olympia on 6/19, and Commissioner Reid seconded. Discussion ensued. The motion passed 2-0. NEW BUSINESS: Commissioner Healy stated that he has made arrangements for someone to come in and discuss broadband. He made a phone call to a fellow at Pacific County PUD and has turned that over to our manager to work out the details. Discussion ensued. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 9:14 a.m. PUD Meeting Minutes 4
Approval of the minutes of the regular meeting of March 18, 2014. Dennis Reid, President Eugene Healy, Vice President Robert Jungers, Secretary PUD Meeting Minutes 5